Top five famous gladiators from ancient Rome

 

Gladiator in arena

 

You might have seen gladiators in movies, TV shows, etc. This aspect of the Roman empire is very popular, thanks to various movies, games, and TV shows. Gladiators were fighters who not just fought among each other to entertain ancient Roman people, but also against animals. There were some gladiators who became popular due to their bravery, strength, and valor. You might have heard many famous names who fought in the arena and carved their names in history. We have picked the top five such very famous gladiators from history. Let’s see who were these great heroes.

 

 

5. Spiculus

        

Spiculus

       

 Spiculus was a Thracian soldier, Roman soldiers caught him and put him into slavery. Spiculus attained the gladiator school of Capua. He showed incredible skills in the gladiator arena. Roman emperor Nero was particularly very impressed by his skills. Nero treated Spiculus well and endowed him with palaces and wealth. Even though a slave, Spiculus lived like a free man, due to his relationship with emperor Nero.

                          We must not make the mistake of assuming that, Spiculus was famous only, because of his relationship with emperor Nero. He was a great warrior and showed impressive skills in the arena. He had defeated many renewed gladiators and had significant popularity at that time.

 

 

 

4. Carpophorus

 

Carpophrus

           

     Carpophorus was particularly famous for fighting against wild animals. He had fought against Bears, boars, and lions also. He was more skilled in fighting against animals than other gladiators. His feats were often compared with the famous hero Hercules. 

Carpophorus had the gifted skill to defeat wild animals. It is said that, once he killed a rhinosores with a single spear. He used to fight many animals in a single event. It was very risky to fight against wild animals and those gladiators who fought animals had a very short life span.

        

 

 

3. Flamma

Flamma

 

         Flamma was a Syrian soldier and similar to Spiculus, Roman soldiers captured him and put him into slavery. Flamma was particularly famous for his fondness of fighting in the arena. Many times Flamma won freedom,  but he chose to remain a fighter. It is said that Flamma fought about 34 fights in his career and won about 21 of them.

          Flamma died in the arena in his last fight, when he was 30 years old. Which is quite old age for gladiators, who mostly used to die in their twenties.

 

 

2. Crixus

   

      

Crixus

Crixus is known for his remarkable skills both inside and outside the arena. Because he took part in the slave rebellion. Crixus was a very important leader of the slaves in the servile wars. He is known for his association with Spartacus.  Spartacus and Crixus attended the same gladiator school of Capua and they even fled the school together with other 70 gladiators.

        Crixus had his own force under his command. He parted ways with Spartacus later. Crixus wanted to attack and destroy high-class Roman citizens, but his plan was leaked and Roman soldiers killed him in the war. Crixus is famous for fighting bravely against the Romans in his last war.

 

 

1.   Spartacus

 

Spartacus

        

Spartacus is the most famous name among the gladiators. Many historical accounts claim that he never fought in the arena. But it doesn’t matter as Spartacus gained more fame for leading the servile wars, instead of fighting in the arena. Along with Crixus, he led a strong rebellion against the Romans.

           Spartacus defeated Roman forces many times before he was killed in Italy. Spartacus has become a symbol of revolt against oppression. Many films and shows have taken inspiration from his life and his struggle for freedom.

 

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